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It's no secret that employers over the last decade have been increasingly rethinking their retirement offerings. Whether it's to reduce overall retirement costs, respond to new regulations or react to changing market pressures, plan sponsors across the country are steadily replacing the defined benefit plan of the past with the defined contribution plan of the present. Out with the DB, in with the DC. The consequences of that shift are significant.
Essentially, DC plans transfer the capital accumulation responsibility from the employer to the employee. Participants in a DC plan are tasked with deciphering personal retirement goals, implementing a savings and investment plan around those goals, monitoring progress toward those goals and distributing savings prudently over the course of retirement. Since the plan could be the primary source of retirement income for the participant in the years to come, the importance of effectively executing on these responsibilities cannot be overstated.
The plan sponsor's role, meanwhile, is basically to augment the participant's chances of success by paying careful attention to plan structure, component investment options, oversight and robust education. The good news is that sponsors of plans large and small appear to be stepping up to this challenge by engaging more third-party financial expertise and increasing plan governance. Even large plans with access to human resources, in-house counsel, treasury and other support appear to be increasingly outsourcing the fiduciary oversight role, as reported in PIMCO's DC Practice report earlier this year.
DC Plans Take Aim
A good deal of what's behind that transition can be traced to two important events: The implosion of Enron in 2001 and the passage of the Pension Protection Act (PPA) in 2006. For its part, the Enron meltdown not only resulted in the ultimate passage of Sarbanes-Oxley, it immediately suppressed the use of a company's stock within its retirement plan offerings. As a result, plans up and down the spectrum began to promote the diversification of investment risk through mutual funds and other pooled vehicles.
Then PPA came along with its Qualified Default Investment Account (QDIA) designation. The Act, passed when many plans had participation rates as low as 50%, led to a good deal of automatic participant enrollments flowing straight into Target Date Funds. In short order, target date investment options migrated from what had been the exclusive realm of the institutional plan to a much broader audience.
And with good response. Vanguard and Fidelity, the two largest retirement services providers in the country, report target-date adoption rates are still rising at the participant level even as plans increased the overall number of funds offered. (See Vanguard's How America Saves– 2011 and Fidelity Investments' Building Futures Volume VIII) This dichotomy likely stems from the desire for flexibility from participants juxtaposed with the sponsor's desire to mitigate risk and provide the most prudent solution for goal achievement.
Neither Straight Nor Narrow
Target date funds typically offer the benefit of some kind of professionally implemented portfolio theory coupled with the ability to access asset classes like commodities and emerging market debt. And by definition, they come with a glide path, i.e., a formula that defines the allocation mix based on the number of years to the target date. When analyzing target date funds, it's the glide path that requires the greatest burden of scrutiny.
In practice, the glide path creates an asset mix that becomes more conservative as the fund gets closer to its target date. Understanding this mix before and during the distribution phase is crucial to knowing where the most significant risk to participant retirement goals lies. For example, a number of 2010-dated funds maintained relatively high equity exposure in 2007 just before the market crash in 2008. The result was significant declines for investors planning to retire in 2010.
The experience of 2008 notwithstanding, Target Date Funds have seen, and are still seeing, significant adoption. In fact, the most recent EBRI/ICI 401(k) data indicate that a third of 401(k) participants in its universe held target date funds. Looking ahead a bit, Brightscope, a provider of retirement plan ratings and investment analytics, projects in its Real Facts About TDFs report that by 2020 Target Date Funds will make up one-third of all retirement assets and represent the number-one savings vehicle in America
Still Seeking the Holy Grail
At this hour, the obvious vacancy in defined contribution plan lineups is an income distribution solution that doesn't require an out-of-plan insurance product conversion.The so-called 'decumulation phase' has garnered a lot attention, but no one's yet to discover the way to build a truly seamless continuum of sponsor-aided retirement savings. The search, in other words, for a single-product solution continues. We look forward to seeing what creative ideas will be introduced by eager product innovators.


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TJ Scolnick | August 3, 2011
By TJ Scolnick • Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - 14:39
The Canadian government is again being called out for providing misleading information about its commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) has released its fifth annual report [pdf] analyzing government efforts to follow through with its obligations to reduce its carbon pollution, as set out under the 2007 Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act (KPIA).
The findings are disturbing and show that Canada's emissions reduction policies are only about half as effective as advertised. The recent analysis shows that government policies aiming for 54 million tonnes of carbon reductions by 2012 will only yield around 27 million tonnes of reductions.
Individual project emission data was originally evaluated by Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada, and taken together showed that the 2011 KPIA plan was on pace to achieve the Conservative government's climate goals. When Environment Canada combined the individual project totals into an integrated model, however, the results are not so pretty. Environment Canada's modeling reveals that a significant amount of double counting is taking place between projects. Moreover, best-case scenarios are also being overused (as reference cases) leading to frequent overestimations for reductions.
Clare Demerse, director of climate change at the Pembina Institute, remarked that:
"It's normal to expect the package to be less than the sum of all its parts but doubling the estimate is unexpected."
Unfortunately, this type of discrepancy is all too common for the governing Conservatives who continue to oppose the binding 2012 pollution reduction targets as set out in the Kyoto Accord.
Just last month, in advance of the latest round of United Nations (U.N.) climate talks, the government decided not to include 2009 data from a 567-page U.N. report on Canada's carbon emissions. The government has long said that Canada will not achieve the 2012 Kyoto targets, but when the 2009 data was finally released after a media investigation, it showed a significant 20% increase in pollution from Alberta's tar sands industry and that the government would likely fail to achieve its modest goals for a 17% reduction in total carbon emissions by 2020 (from 2005 levels).
The NRTEE report confirms that a 'business as usual' scenario will make it extremely difficult for Canada to control its carbon pollution.
Demerse added:
"Sadly, the bottom line from this report is that Canada's current climate policies are far too weak to reach our national target for cutting greenhouse gas pollution. That's not a new message, but it's a critically important one."
This latest NRTEE report does make the following recommendations in the hopes that the 2020 climate goals are still on the government's agenda:
1. To improve the consistency between the integrated modelling estimates and measure-by-measure estimates of emissions reductions, the NRTEE recommends that consistent, reliable, and substantiated assumptions be used to define the reference case across all estimates. In particular, if the reference case assumption is that none of the mitigating actions would have occurred in the absence of the policy, the Plan should present sufficient evidence to substantiate this assumption. This recommendation applies in particular for the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power, ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses, ecoENERGY for Industry, and Pulp and Paper Green Transformation programs.
2. To acquire additional evidence regarding the effectiveness of policies and programs, the NRTEE recommends the government implement additional ex-post (after the fact) policy evaluations. Studies like the analysis implemented by NRCan to explore the actual emissions reductions realized from the ecoENERGY Retrofit Initiative can provide valuable insights as to how the policy has performed historically. As existing programs wind down, these insights can be used to improve estimates of likely future reductions, and can also inform future policy design choices by exploring the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of existing programs.
3. To help Canada continue to be accountable to its emissions reductions objectives, the NRTEE recommends the government continue to broaden its public process for evaluating its climate policies over the long term. The NRTEE applauds the government for publishing its 2020 emissions forecasts in January 2011. The government should continue to publish updated forecasts as it implements new policies and programs and moves toward long-term emissions reductions.
4. To move forward with a coordinated Canadian climate strategy, the NRTEE recommends that consideration be given to how federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal policies can be better coordinated to complement and reinforce current and future efforts. Assessing the effectiveness of provincial/territorial/municipal policies can help highlight the important role of these policies in contributing to Canada's national emissions reductions objectives and inform future federal action in support.
The NRTEE is an advisory agency to the federal government whose members are mainly industry and political appointees. In spite of fears that committee members may owe a debt to the government which appointment them, the NRTEE has again proven its independence by calling out Conservative reticence on climate change. Earlier this year, the committee released a report saying that Canada must get serious on climate and stop dragging its feet waiting for the U.S. to act first.
Photo Credit: NRTEE
RickJames replied on Permalink
Must drive you guys nuts.
Must drive you guys nuts. After years of beating the anti carbon drum and trying so hard to demonize Harpers minority governments, Harper gets his majority and you get whoever replaces Jack for the next 4 years.
You went from hoping to hopeless.
Carbon doesn't matter much anymore.
anonymous replied on Permalink
Must drive you guys nuts.
Must be really tough to visit a blog you disagree with day after day after day. If you wait long enough, maybe this will become a pro-carbon blog which promotes fossil fuels and economic ideas popular in the industrial age. Keep hoping then, eh?
RickJames replied on Permalink
It's hard to quit desmog -
It's hard to quit desmog - can't really explain it. I've successfully quit other sites. Maybe someday.
anonymous replied on Permalink
I'm a Canadian, and, like most Canadians, I'm not actually embarrassed.
More like we couldn't care less as the whole "carbon footprint" fad jumped the shark, long ago.
This is just another of your solipsisms. You're projecting your own peculiar neurotic beliefs on normal people.
Bryson Brown replied on Permalink
Heads in the sand
OK– so our government pretends to take climate change seriously, but works behind the scenes to exagerate what they're doing about it (and to undermine international negotiations to strengthen agreements on reducing emissions). Hypocrisy is reason enough for embarassment– but the worst of it, to me, are the distortions from Mr. Kent and others about our role in contributing to the global increase in CO2 and about 'ethical oil' (a pure distraction tactic).
Anonymous here is pure troll with nothing useful to say– no evidence, no arguments, no knowledge of the science– not even the usual denialist tropes. Harper's majority is a disaster (with less than 40% of the vote, it's hardly the mandate he claims it to be)- but that doesn't mean carbon emissions don't matter. It just means the problems will be that much worse when we finally get to work on them: you must feel really good about that, RJ.
RickJames replied on Permalink
The irony is that I have a
The irony is that I have a smaller carbon footprint than most and never voted for the conservatives in my life. I ride a bike daily and walk to get groceries and haven't been on an airplane for twenty years. I drive a 5 year old Corolla and drive it very little. I'm not the problem.
Meanwhile the carbon fear industry flies high and lives it up with jet set lifestyle.
Where's the next climate conference world party anyway?
Don't forget to bring the kids.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
"OK-- so our government
"OK– so our government pretends to take climate change seriously, but works behind the scenes to exagerate what they're doing about it"
And this is something new in the world of politics? I don't think so, I would wager just about every government in the world has done this sometime over the years or is doing it now. We are not alone and I am not embarrassed about it one bit, it's quite expected actually. For example, the boreal forest region in Canada covers almost 60% of the country's land area, yet Canadian forests were left out of Canadian national carbon footprint calculations. How can you leave out a forest of that magnitude and take the results seriously? What, did they just overlook it? No, it's politics.

subset: commoncrawl


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text: Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums :: View topic - Which English school in Calgary? Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in Which English school in Calgary? Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> English Schools View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message MordenJoined: 10 May 2006Posts: 2Location: Europe Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:52 am Post subject: Which English school in Calgary? Hi I'd like to spend my summer learning english in Calgary. Could you advise me a good school? Thanks Back to top kamilaceroJoined: 01 Feb 2011Posts: 2Location: United States Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:59 am Post subject: English Schools in Calgary You can find an compare schools here at http://www.ohglobal.com but I would recommend this school in Calgary, they have great prices and facilities and the agency will help you with all the application and inmigration process absolutely free http://www.ohglobal.com/location_school.php?location_id=88 You will also find 3 other English schools in Calgary and you will get a minimum discount of 7%_________________English Courses Back to top AfraJoined: 10 Jul 2013Posts: 131 Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:24 am Post subject: Found this site best and informative for http://www.gvenglish.com/schools/canada/calgary.html#school ..... Need expert advice to admission essays: Admissions Essays Help http://www.personalstatements.biz/ Scholarship Essays Help http://www.personalstatements.biz/ Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> English Schools All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Student Forums----------------ComputersCurrent NewsCultureEnglish SchoolsFamilyFilm and CinemaFoodHealth and FitnessHelp CenterHobbiesHolidaysLearning EnglishLiteratureMaking FriendsMusicOpinionsPetsScienceSportsThe Strange and MysteriousTOEFL and Other English ExamsTravel You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group


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The 1098-T is an IRS form that assists the student in determining if he/she qualifies for certain education related tax credits under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997(TRA97). The IRS requires eligible educational institutions, including the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, to file a 1098-T form each year for each enrolled student (excluding non-resident alien students) for whom a reportable transaction is made during the calendar year. This form is intended to assist in the preparation of your federal income tax return. Your accountant, tax preparer, or the Internal Revenue Service (www.irs.gov) can best advise you in the utilization of this form when preparing your taxes. Specific information related to tax benefits for education may be located in IRS Publication 970.
IRS regulations state that each student who files a request to receive a 1098-T electronically must also provide his/her consent electronically.
By providing consent, you state your intent to receive your 1098-T form electronically. With this consent for an on-line electronic 1098-T, please understand that a paper copy of your 1098-T will not be mailed.
If you elect not to consent, a paper copy of your 1098-T will be sent to you via First Class US Mail to the address currently on file with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.


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From Tinley Park 5
I want to publicly thank all my hometown heroes and all the folks holding down rad bookstores from North Carolina to Indiana to Sacramento working on prison support.
Friends & Comrades,
As a community and as individuals you never stop amazing me. The support and solidarity I have felt from all of you is nothing less than overwhelming and amazing. I have been receiving a steady stream of mail and books since being placed in my current institution. Y'all are bad asses! To all my birthday well wishers and all of you who decided "/b/ my valentine", I love you all.
To everyone who just writes to let me know I'm supported and remembered, either at letter parties or on your own, thank you. I love your letters and appreciate each one. Whether you are telling me about your pets, passions, interests, views, hopes, trumpets, or arm wrestling tactics (that wrist thing is cheating btw)… I find them all interesting and often hilarious. I am unable to respond to all of you every time, but I want you all to know I value every word and you make my week every time I get a letter. Also I am not able to send letters out of the US right now. I do want to send some love to Queensland, Australia. Your letter was awesome and I wish I could write back. Much love to the French Resistance and a certain comrade in Germany. You're rad K.
So I feel as though only the Cook County Jail could ever make a person "ready to get to prison." Needless to say my conditions have greatly improved. I can purchase stuff like dental floss. I can workout. And I now have a walkman. Yes. A real walkman with real, or should I say, reel tapes. I am probably the only person in any prison with a Bjork tape! I'm also in classes which helps pass my time and I can earn days off my sentence. I have been treated professionally and the same as every person around me.
So before I close I want to touch on a subject that has come up over and over again in radical circles and radical causes. It's time to ask yourself some hard questions when thinking about taking direct action. Are you prepared to be locked up? Are you willing to stay locked up to protect your comrades and community? Solidarity is a gift and a responsibility. Please ask yourself and be honest. If you don't believe you can commit to the safety of your comrades and community, take a different path. We can all use the skills we have in the ways we are comfortable. There is so much work to do. So many ways to push for the world we hope to see. Please be safe, think tactically, and keep standing for what you know to be right.
I want to close with love and thanks to all of you. You all give me hope and remind me that some people actually care and that not everyone is a racist, sexist, homophobe… just most of the people that surround me at this moment in time. I still have hope for so many reasons and all of you contribute to that.
I want to publicly thank all my hometown heroes and all the folks holding down rad bookstores from North Carolina to Indiana to Sacramento working on prison support. To my own "dream team" doing research on how to mitigate the damage of mass incarceration and to my own light, who guides me everyday. I would be lost without you. To my crew, love y'all to death! I'll be home before too long.


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KIEV, Ukraine - Spain confirmed their status as one of the greatest national teams in football history by overwhelming Italy 4-0 in Sunday, July 1's Euro 2012 final in Kiev to retain their European crown.
Vicente del Bosque's team became the first side to successfully defend a European Championship title, as well as the first to win three consecutive major tournaments after their triumphs at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
Accused in some quarters of having lost their ability to excite, Spain produced a thrilling demonstration of attacking football to confirm beyond doubt that this remains a golden age for Spanish football.
Four different scorers
Andres Iniesta and Xavi were the architects of victory, playing key roles in goals by David Silva, Jordi Alba and Fernando Torres, who teed up fellow substitute Juan Mata for Spain's fourth.
The match-winner in the Euro 2008 decider against Germany, Torres became the first player to score in two European Championship finals, while it was the most handsome winning margin in a final in the tournament's history.
Italy played the last half an hour with 10 men after third substitute Thiago Motta was forced off by injury moments after coming on, as the momentum that had taken the Azzurri past Germany and England in the knockout rounds disappeared.
The star of the semi-final win over the Germans, Mario Balotelli endured a fruitless evening, while Andrea Pirlo was upstaged by the pass masters in the Spanish midfield.
Impressive showing
Dropped for the semi-final against Portugal, Cesc Fabregas returned to Spain's starting line-up to occupy the 'false nine' role he had taken up against Italy in the 1-1 draw between the sides in Group C on June 10.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli also made one change to his starting XI, with Ignazio Abate replacing Federico Balzaretti at right-back after missing the semi-final win over Germany due to muscle fatigue.
It was quickly apparent that Spain had a point to prove and in the 10th minute there was a glimpse of the pin-sharp attacking football that had eluded them in recent matches, as Xavi exchanged passes with Fabregas before rifling a shot narrowly over.
Four minutes later the deadlock was broken, Iniesta threading a superb pass down the inside-right channel to Fabregas, who slipped around Giorgio Chiellini before cutting the ball back for Silva to head home.
Chiellini's evening lasted barely more than 20 minutes, as the Juventus defender was forced off after landing awkwardly and had to be replaced by Balzaretti.
Having being eclipsed by Iniesta in recent matches, Xavi proved that reports of his demise are grossly premature by creating Spain's second goal four minutes before half-time.
Spain domination
The 32-year-old maestro collected a pass from Alba and then delayed his pass supremely before freeing his future Barcelona team-mate to run in and place the ball past Gianluigi Buffon for his first international goal.
Prandelli replaced Cassano with Antonio Di Natale at the interval and the Udinese man made an immediate impact, heading just over from Abate's centre and then obliging Casillas to save after ghosting in behind Spain's defense.
At the other end, Buffon thwarted Fabregas after the Barcelona man weaved his way past Balzaretti and Leonardo Bonucci, who was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to block Sergio Ramos' header with his arm.
Italy's hopes of a comeback evaporated in the 62nd minute, as Motta was carried off on a stretcher with an apparent hamstring injury just five minutes after replacing Riccardo Montolivo, leaving Prandelli's side with 10 men.
The game dipped in intensity until the arrival of Torres, who rolled home Spain's third from Xavi's pass in the 84th minute before teeing up Chelsea team-mate Mata for an 88th-minute tap-in. - Agence France-Presse


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Wolf Blitzer delivers the most important breaking news and political, international, and national security stories of the day. Tune to The Situation Room weekdays 5-7pm ET on CNN.
CNN's Joe Johns explains the hefty price tag that comes with the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
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READ about Piers Morgan's long career in journalism here.
Whether you fell asleep early, stayed out too late, or simply want to watch it again, we realize it's not always possible to get your entire "Piers Morgan Live" fix from television. As an answer to this, we offer the below labor of love – "Piers Morgan Live, Rewind" – dedicated and designed to getting you caught up and connected to the conversation.
On Wednesday evening, as the investigation of the alleged Boston Marathon bombing suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, and his possible ties to extremist groups in Dagestan and Chechnya continued, "Piers Morgan Live" invited Congressman Adam Schiff to the program.
A member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, Schiff addressed the question of whether or not the FBI and the CIA ignored warnings from the Russian intelligence on the older Tsarnaev brother.
"I don't think people should leap to that conclusion," said Schiff. "I don't think we've seen the evidence that that's in fact what happened. And because the investigation is still very early ... I think people should avoid this rush to judgment of a bureau that frankly has been doing spectacular work in the investigation since the event," continued Schiff. "And I haven't seen an indication yet that they failed to do the work they should have before the event."
Also on Wednesday evening, CNN correspondent Deb Feyerick reported from Boston's Boylston Street, the location of the bombings.
Feyerick described the scene on the location that reopened earlier in the day as "very emotional."
"A number of people are coming simply they're leaving flowers and hats and stuffed animals, notes, cards," said Feyerick. "The primary message is, you will be remembered, we will not forget. We're in this all together."
For the next edition of "Piers Morgan Live," watch CNN every night at 9.
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Twitter
» Follow "Piers Morgan Live" on Instagram
I'm still waiting for this asshat Piers Morgan to go home
Fox is calling , its past your bed time! You love piers, we love piers, dont come back jack!
Everyone is attacking our FBI for "dropping the ball". How about the Russians. They had the older brother in their backyard for six months and did nothing. How did they miss the fact that he might be there training. How did they miss the fact that the mother they said was to be watched came back to their country. Why didn't the Russians investigate if they thought these two were dangerous. They need to explain.
The Russians, like the FBI and the CIA, do not want to reveal their methods. They gave us the older brother and we fumbled and bumbled and acted like junior detectives for a Hardy Boys club. So many of the contacts with the family were ready to say they were radicalized by 2011 and yet the FBI could not notice it.
Further they elected to laugh at the Russian security force warning and not treat it as the most important level of tip.
Do not blame the Russians for keeping their secrets just because we tell and get our collaborators sent to torture and 33 years in Pakistani prison because OBAMA WANTED TO SHOW OFF HIS PHOTOS WATCHING the brave Seals and pretending that he was their leader in the raid, so the Dr. gets betrayed by Obama's showing off for AMerica.
We should be fighting to undo this monstrous wrongdoing to our aider in proving it was Osama, but we won't because Obama hides his dirty deeds, such as his removal from the Illinois Bar to prevent his ethics violations from being made public HAS YET TO BE REPORTED BY ANY MEDIA OF ANY PROMINENCE.
As usual, Egotistical maverichs have to step on toes and keep information from other agencies to be the big dog! aways the issue........ The judge who rushed into be the first on the seen, well he "ephed up " didnt he! Things are going to get really hot for him, Watch.........Some information the public dont need to know until the final report!
Get off Pearce. He is the only guy on the air with guts. He'll get to the bottom of this story. Keep telling the truth Pierse! The doubters will have to listen and admit you are the one!
Tayquan, Piers needs to work harder and listen to John Ashcroft on an earlier day on CNN and Michael Mukasey earlier than that on another news channel. Piers at least needs a better staff or a liaison to report to his folk statements made on CNN (and maybe the other networks) such as Ashcrofts. A lot like the FBI and Massaichusetts and Boston as to telling them about Tamerlan and the Russian tip (or leave the Russians out and say it is from a high intelligence source without collaboration YET).
Each said Miranda is irrelevant for this accused criminal and each explained why (that confessions are not allowed without Miranda but prosecution is!!) and EACH IS A RESPECTED FORMER U.S. Attorney General.
Eric Holder is the probable "brains" behind the magistrate rushing over to give the Miranda warnings TO PROTECT THE TERRORIST from FBI questioners.
If so, Eric Holder should be impeached for betraying America and gross incompetence if not something worse.
Piers Morgan has no guts. All he does is open his mouth and be the rudest most arrogant pr1ck he can to anyone he disagrees with, regardless of the fact that most of the time it's Piers that's wrong. He's too stupid to deserve being on the air.
Still whinning J B? come on, you really love Piers Morgan. Say it J B!
LOL! Yeah, I love him just like I love a punching bag sm...
Whats wrong JB are you afraid of some physical work on a punching bag? can you defend yourself? Sure dont sound like it JB! We all love Piers JB!
Huh? How in the world did you get that out of what I said? Of course I know how to defend myself, quite well actually. And no I'm not lazy. I was comparing him to how much I love a punching bag because that's what I'd like to do to Morgan. Good grief learn to read sm. Sheesh...illiteracy abounds...
Miranda does not apply. On Monday former US AG Michael Mukasey explained it well: no Miranda means no confessions which is fine AND THUS MIRANDA SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN per Mukasey.
Geragos in the proceeding hour said similarly and Jeffrey Toobin said nothing in opposition or in favor.
I hope CNN allows this rebuke to be published.
Kin,please join us in smothering Jason Bontempi in butter and presenting him to Captain Morgan:Two-Bit Yank Pie.
(Seeing as he seems to have survived the Argo...hmmm...)
Still watching every night then,Jason?(WE SERVE HIM...WE SERVE HIM...not u,yankee...WE SERVE HIM...WE...)
Just a post to try to get at least half my posts actually posted. What is with the CNN censorship when the one guy can disguise crude language and be posted and I merely expose your talking heads for the fools they themselves made themselves to appear.
This blog site has a weird wording problem. Any word with "t1t"(1=i, ex. const1tution, pet1tion, ent1ty) or "c/m" (/=u, ex. circ/mstance, acc/mulate) always gets rejected and the entire post won't appear. Also for an unknown odd reason, the word "J@p@n" as well. You should check your text and see if you used any of these words, if so, replace them.
Thanks for the tip. I did not mistype at all but I did use a few four syllable words and CNN evidently only uses a three syllable computer. My last good one also got censored. CNN needs new IT people, it seems.
Is Kin Mapper a pseudonym?(Or anagram?)
What kind of name is Kin Mapper anyway? If you would LISTEN to Pierse, you would see what he is talking about. The terrorists are the ones keeping all Americans down. None of this other stuff matters. Miranda. Matilda. Michele. Don't matter. I'm relying on Pierce to keep me educated about the truth of our country.
Then may I educate you about Piers Morgan? You should read the article below.
Especially what he did to the British soldiers is unforgivable.
Glasshouses, Tayquan, glasshouses.
Holder, Clinton, Obama, Lamb, Kennedy, do matter and their allowing terrorist to kill our American patriots and servants to our country and protecting, in an absurd way, the terrorist with Miranda and failure to seek them out in semi-friendly jails of Arab nations is an American disgrace that must be investigated. Who gave the orders to remove quality defense folk paid for by the DoD stripping our Libya Alamo of all its meaningful defenders. The two Seals who valiantly gave their lives were there for outher and not that building.
Their names should be placed at the highest monument as the ultimate America heros.
But you do not even know them and do not even know they were not part of the defense of the building unworthy to be a consulate by Dept. of State standards. Hilary should be pilloried now or later, but from then on bearing the blood of the heroes as a badge of dishonor.
Are you scapegoating Hillary Clinton?
What's 'outher'?
Libya Alamo=Benghazi,right?(Echoes of Gordon of Khartoum,and both horrid events.)
Piers is like all other news Anchors, the Haters Just dont want to hear the Plain truth or Logic laid out at their feet! Its Black and White here, not manufactured the way it sounds good like on the Tea Party channel............You know lying!
We should've designated the surviving younger brother as an enemy combatant. Collecting intelligence to effectively fight against terrorism should be the utmost priority.
Miranda is not a shibboleth but a standard. No Miranda, no confessions will be allowed. That is all and that is what I said in-house prior to Monday.
On Monday the blind sheik judge, a former federal prosecutor then federal judge then U.S. Attorney, Michael Mukasey said no to the enemy combatant for now, but yes to no Miranda as it is as any law student knows it to be, Seemingly dozens of talking legal and not-so-legal heads said Miranda is our sacred gold cow to be worshipped and never to be abandoned But that was ignorance by the mob of idiot talking heads and Mukasey was joined by John Ashcroft on CNN, another former U.S. Attorney General who agreed in the same thought without mentioning Ashcroft. Thursday just before Piers, Toobin was shamed by a mere criminal defense lawyer Mark Geragos who echoed the Mukasey claim of Miranda irrelevance here and then Toobin sent so far as to claim that Toobin knew the interrogation was over before the pawns of Holder did their dirty deed against America by breaking in and surprising the FBI interrogators of the American citizen zeen dropping off the super-heavy load by the feet of a little boy.
Holder must be impeached as there have been too many dirty deeds attributed to his time if not him. Betraying America is not part of the U.S. Attorney General's duties.
Impeach Eric Holder if Eric Holder does not resign by next month.
I omitted the word General in US Attorney General Michael Mukasey. Mea Culpa and there is not edit here so this is the sole method CNN allows to correct omissions, unlike other blogs.
Hi Nae,it's been a while.
Dragging up Piers' past isn't pertinent:the albatross round our friend's neck is guns,310 million and counting of them.
He's doing his best,knowing there's been no attack on a school with us in 17 years and counting(and long may that
continue).And don't we ALL have a past?
Just watched America This Week & Washington Journal[BBC Parliament]:lot of good points,usual conspiracy theorists,
some of them on an entire page of a blog on here,but they seem to have gone,and it's just us.
A black girl phoned in to say Senators vote on things just 'cos they don't like Obama=TRUE.
Former FBI high-up (retired 2001)pointing out most tip-offs come from public,all investigated with vigor,they RELY on
public:civic duty paramount=TRUE.
This time last week I had a look at a Russian paper's website:just on the homepage racism and jealousy.
YOU'RE 10 times better,let's talk about curbing the violence,and where we're gonna go with a bit less hatred&bluster.
Too much to lose.
Twenty Candles.
Re-read the words on what Miranda is and then recognize your federal government, my federal government, our federal government betrayed us by forcing into an FBI questioning in a manner not seen before, in order to be politically correct and patriotically and lawfully stupid.
Loved to read this! The best of Boston!
"A number of people are coming simply they're leaving flowers and hats and stuffed animals, notes, cards," said Feyerick. "The primary message is, you will be remembered, we will not forget. We're in this all together."


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Vincent Longo Cosmetics Set to Make a Comeback
Vincent Longo Cosmetics Set to Make a Big Comeback
Due in part to a failing economy back in 2008, Vincent Longo Cosmetics was eventually forced to pull its products from the shelves of retail giants such as Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal, and Nordstrom. Space NK, however, still kept the indie brand's stock in supply. But now, Vincent Longo is set to make a big comeback.
Last year, the company began selling its products in CVS Pharmacy's Beauty 360. And with a new investor in place, Vincent Longo himself is now again able to work on what he's known for: creating innovative, stand-out formulations.
He'll completely revamp everything except for complexion products. New items will include Liquid Concealer ($28), formulated with arnica and peptides to reduce dark circles and puffiness; Pearl X Eyeshadows ($25), baked shadows with speckled colors; and Perfect Shine V Gloss ($22), glimmery pearl lip colors that add temporary volume. To see what other brand is also making moves to rise from the ashes, just keep reading.
Paula Dorf, also an indie brand, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2009. But with a new investor secured, expect to see the company double its distribution and to reenter department stores such as Nordstrom, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Are you excited to see these brands making a comeback?


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Stylish, roomy, refined midsize crossover SUV.
Sport Utility Vehicles
Editor: New Car Test Drive
$28,050 Base Price MSRP
$40,750 As Tested MSRP
Model Lineup: Nissan Murano S FWD ($28,050); S AWD ($29,650); SL FWD ($29,600); SL AWD ($31,200); LE FWD ($36,580); LE AWD ($38,180)
Standard Engine: 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Engine Options: 265-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Standard Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission
Transmission Options: Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
Basic Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In: Japan
Model Tested MSRP: Nissan Murano SL AWD ($31,200)
Standard Equipment: fabric upholstery; eight-way power driver seat; 60/40 split folding rear seat with power return; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather wrapped steering wheel with audio switches; cruise control; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; power windows, locks and mirrors; six-speaker audio with six-CD changer, MP3/WMA playback and auxiliary input; three 12-volt power outlets; Intelligent Key; front fog lights; roof rails; security system; rear privacy glass
Standard Safety Equipment: dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side-impact air bags roof-mounted curtain air bags, active head restraints in the front row, antilock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, traction control, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitor
Optional Safety Equipment: RearView MonitorDestination Charge: $800
Most Muranos come with 18-inch wheels, with 20-inch wheels standard on the top LE model. But once you get beyond the grille and the headlamps, the only chrome on the curvy body shell is the door handles. This design strategy lets the body and the paint do all the talking. The new body is almost two points better in aerodynamic performance than the previous version, improved from a Cd of 0.39 to 0.37. The more slippery design should mean better highway mileage and less wind noise.
Meanwhile, the flexible, stretchable platform underneath the Murano has been reinforced from front to rear, and fitted with several additional bumper beams and crossmembers, for the heavier duty cycles a crossover sport ute encounters. It's roughly 150 percent stiffer than the previous version. This is meaningful not only in terms of crash safety and survival, but also in terms of long-term durability and reliability for those buyers who aren't going to be back in the market for six or eight years. Things like doors and hoods and hinges will stay where they are put because the frame is strong to start with.
Changes for 2010 are relatively minor. The LE is now available with front-drive only as well as all-wheel-drive, and standard equipment has been added at all trim levels.
Murano is named after two different luxury items from two very different parts of the world, Murano art glass from Italy and Murano pearls from Japan, which is a good thing, considering it's sold in more than 130 countries.
The 2010 Nissan Murano lineup comes in three trim levels: S, SL, and LE. All three are now offered with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Murano S FWD ($28,050) and AWD ($29,650) come with fabric upholstery; six-way manually adjustable driver's seat; 60/40 split folding rear seat; dual-zone automatic climate control; cruise control; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; the usual power windows, locks and mirrors; six-speaker audio with six-CD changer, MP3/WMA playback and auxiliary input; and three 12-volt power outlets. Added for 2010 are Intelligent Key and privacy glass. Factory options are limited to splash guards ($125), but dealers can install a rear bumper protector ($100), carpeted floor and cargo mats ($185), a retractable cargo cover ($230), and an aero body kit ($1,865).
Murano SL FWD ($29,600) and AWD ($31,200) add front fog lights, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio switches, eight-way power driver seat, a power return for the rear seatbacks and, new for 2010, roof rails and a security system. Options expand greatly for the SL. The Premium Package ($1,000) consists of an 11-speaker Bose audio with XM Satellite radio and auxiliary audio/video inputs, RearView Monitor, 7-inch QVGA color display, auto-dimming inside mirror with compass and HomeLink, cargo cover, and cargo organizer. The Technology Package ($1,500) combines Bluetooth with a power liftgate, automatic xenon headlights with manual leveling, rain-sensing wipers and heated outside mirrors. Also available are heated leather seats with power passenger seat ($1,600) and a dual-panel power glass sunroof ($1,200). But some packages can only be ordered with other packages, so see your dealer for details
Murano LE FWD ($36,580) and AWD ($38,180) make the contents of the Premium and Technology packages standard, plus the leather seats (with heat front and rear) and dual-panel sunroof; and add a power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; memory function for the seats, mirrors and steering wheel; silver accents on the roof rails; and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Both SL and LE can be ordered with Navigation ($1,850), a dual-screen DVD system with screens mounted in the front-seat headrests ($1,510), an integrated DVD system with a single nine-inch overhead screen ($1,600), roof rail cross bars ($100), and illuminated door sills ($280), plus all the accessories offered on the basic S..
Standard safety features include dual-stage frontal air bags, seat-mounted side-impact air bags (for torso protection), roof-mounted curtain air bags (for head protection), active head restraints in the front row (for whiplash protection), antilock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), traction control, and electronic stability control. Murano also comes with seatbelts; be sure to use them, because seatbelts are your first line of defense in a crash.
Walk Around
The Nissan Murano made a strong statement with its swoopy lines when it was originally introduced as a 2003 model. The Murano was among the first of a new wave of space-efficient crossover SUVs that were highly styled. Sharing much of its design with the stylish Nissan Rogue launched in late 2007, the latest Murano takes crossover styling another step further.
Murano now has a bolder grille and a more aggressive front end design than that of the successful original. The grille is more in-your-face, and the air intakes under the bumper have been simplified. Very complex aero headlamps hang off the front corners of the body and gracefully lead into the fenders.
Bumper to bumper, this Murano has much more sculpted sheetmetal than the original, with swoops and sweeps and dips from end to end. Nissan calls it curvaceous modern art. One feature that affects both the exterior and interior is the optional dual-panel moonroof that lets huge amounts of light into the cabin, but looks from the outside like a single pane of glass covering two thirds of the roof area.
Nissan redesigned the Murano interior for 2009, starting over with a much more inviting, better organized, and much more modern and user-friendly package of instrumentation and controls, including a new center console and new graphics. Like the new exterior styling, those changes have been carried over for 2010.
In terms of comfort, we found the new seats more comfortable and supportive than those in the previous version. Every model has a tilt/telescope steering column (manual or power) to accommodate more body types and leg lengths.
Everything on the instrument panel is well marked, and easy to use. The instruments are large, graphically clean and clear, and bathed in red-orange lighting day or night. The multi-function steering wheel is beefier, with better function buttons. The multi-controller knob at the top center of the dash has been redesigned for ease of use. The base AM/FM/CD sound system has been modernized, with a total of six speakers and the inclusion of an AUX plug on lower models and full iPod integration on the LE version, with full control and track information displayed on the central screen. The same deeply hooded screen is used for navigation, backup camera, telephone, HVAC, and radio displays. Pushbutton ignition is standard on all models.
The interior and exterior dimensions are all within an inch of the previous-generation model, which means Murano is as roomy and comfortable in the front and second seats as any five-seater on the market, and holds about the same volume of cargo. Many of the midsize crossover SUVs that compete with the Murano, such as the Toyota Highlander, were designed to accommodate three rows of seats. The Murano was designed for just two rows, so the second row in the Murano tends to be roomier than the second row of seats in other vehicles in this class. Bottom line: The back seats of a Murano are comfortable and very roomy for two adults.
For maximum cargo space, the back seats flip down quickly and easily, and there are two different cargo storage systems available, depending on model.
Driving Impressions
We test drove a Nissan Murano SL, the middle model. Ours was equipped with all-wheel drive ($31,200) and loaded with the DVD and Navigation, plus the Moonroof and the Technology Package, both of which require the Leather Package, which in turn requires the Premium Package. So our options added $8,750 to the bottom line (total $39,950, plus destination and delivery) but made for a very nice, fully equipped vehicle for family travel.
Nissan's previous V6 earned awards, and its new V6 produces 25 horsepower more than the old engine, up from 240 to 265 hp at 6,000 rpm, a 10-percent hike you can feel every time you accelerate at full throttle. Torque is 248 foot-pounds at 4,400 rpm. The engine uses continuous valve timing control and variable induction for maximum flexibility under varying loads, meaning it responds quickly anytime you hit the gas.
All Murano models come with an Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission instead of a conventional automatic, and this CVT has been thoroughly tuned to the engine's power and torque curves. The CVT is lighter and has fewer moving parts than a traditional automatic, but also has software that makes it act more like a conventional transmission, shifting 30-percent quicker than its predecessor, which means the engine doesn't drone on at high rpm during full-throttle acceleration away from a stop. Nissan says it's also adaptive to each driver's style and habits. Based on our test drive, we'd have to say it's one of the best CVTs out there. It's controlled by an inline floor shifter that replaces the previous generation's notched-gate shifter for much less wasted motion.
We won't go as far as to say there's a night-and-day difference between the first and second-generation Muranos, but almost. The new vehicle is much quieter in terms of mechanical, wind and road noise. The engine is much more willing, and the CVT transmission shifts properly, kicks down quickly, and lets the engine operate just above idle at freeway speeds, which is another way that it saves on fuel costs for the owner in addition to the reduced internal friction.
The Murano's front and rear suspension is now made entirely of cast aluminum pieces, lighter and faster to respond to inputs, very well isolated from the cabin, and features a set of premium shock absorbers with built-in rebound springs to handle the big impacts. The new premium shocks help the suspension keep the body flat and straight in the long sweepers and they absorb bumps and potholes very well. The TOPS speed-sensitive steering is relatively quick and has some feel to it, so it's not completely isolated and not completely numb or dead at the steering wheel.
All-wheel-drive versions of the Murano now list for $1,600 more than their front-drive counterparts. The AWD is set for 50/50 front-rear torque distribution, but can switch up or down to 0/100 or 100/0 depending on driving conditions. That puts the traction down to the tires with the best grip, improving traction and handling stability in slippery, inconsistent conditions, such as rain, snow and ice. Murano's AWD also connects with the stability control system's sensors for yaw rate, wheel slip, and steering angle for safer control under those conditions as well.
There is a huge number of competent, comfortable, convenient and roomy crossover SUVs available on the American market, but we think the Nissan Murano ranks right up there with the best of them. We like the Murano very much, inside and out. It's good looking, easy to use, reasonably powerful, and won't use up all your money on gasoline.
Jim McCraw filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after his test drive of a Murano SL outside Scottsdale, Arizona.
Top Cars


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Note this is 100% copy pasted all credits go to https://plus.google.com/102718993287759207479/posts and Bhutnath
The screens are from an old version of tzhe pc version of goodgame empire but the guide can still be applied to today's version
In this guide I would refer to Towers as follows:
RBC: Robber Baron Castle Barbarian Tower: BT Desert Tower: DT Cultists Tower: CT All of above: ALLRBC
First of all, try to keep 2-3 ALLRBCs at the same exact level near by to your castles.
For example: Check this screen shot. All the DT are Level 42, 3 victories to Level 43.
|3 DT at same exact level
The benefit of keeping them at the exact same level is that if you spy 1 of them, the other 2 will have the exact same arrangement of soldiers and tools. So instead of spying 3 DT, I spy 1 of them and launch an attack on all 3 at the same time. For this you will need a huge army, so focus on plundering food, that ways you can maintain your army food supplies. Take a look at this example: I spied on only 1 DT, but I know that the rest of the 2 would have same arrangement and number of tools and soldiers. [2] This is the espionage report: [3] Now comes the part, how I should attack this DT. Here is what I would do. Since there are no defenses on Left and right flank and there are only 1 unique tool in the center flank, I will send 1 martyr wave. Martyr wave is when you send 1 or 2 waves of 1 cheapest soldier that you have to take out the defense tools of the defender. PS: As left and right flanks are empty, you can put your main soldiers in the wave 1, I did not do it as number of defenders in the Courtyard is None, so I dont need a very big attack to defeat the defenders. See below: [4] Now Wave 2 and onwards I will add as much attack power as I can. Now let us focus on wave 2, as this is where all the action would be. Wave 3 and 4 will most probably have no action, as Wave 2 should be the decider. The center flank has 24 Ranged and 16 Melee defenders. Another thing to keep in mind is the weakness of defense soldiers. For example: Greenland soldiers, most of them have weakness against opposite attackers. Bowman's description says "Good in defense, Ideal against ranged attackers", which means if you attack bowman with Melee, it is better. BUT, the story changes Iceland and above. Iceland, Desert and Fire peaks they all have versatile soldiers,i.e. Good in defense against melee and ranged. So Iceland and above, you can just pick the greater number of soldiers and send opposite attack soldier. Now in our case, as the number of ranged defenders is greater, so I will send all Melee attackers to counter them. How to use tools: Even though our Martyr wave will take out all the tools, yet it is better to send some tools to gain the extra benefit on the wall. Since my soldiers will fight on the wall only on the center flank, so I will load my tools only there. [5] You need to check the wall defense, gate protection and defense of ranged soldiers to decide how many tools to us. Please do not forget to check Troop and Tools Stats In Wave 2, I have sent 130 KG soldiers to attack 40 DT soldiers. It should be enough and Wave 3 and 4 should only be a formality, so if you want you can load wave 3 with Loot sacks (and Glory banners, if you are attacking a human castle rather than ALLRBC.) Anyways, here are the screenshots of Wave 3 and 4 respectively: [6]
[7] Another school of thought is why not send a mix of melee and defense soldiers when defenders are mixed. The explanation I was given by Bhutnath is that the game calculates the total power, irrespective of which soldiers you attack with. I experimented with it on few occasions and did not find any discrepancy to the logic given by him. But you are free to experiment and update us all. This is the attack on the way. [8]
Here are the Combat reports: 34 soldiers lost total [9] This is the attack overview: [10] Wave 1: As you can see below, the Martyr took out both the tools at the wall. [11]
Wave 2: As I told you earlier, wave 2 is the deciding force, I had lesser tools so I sent lesser tools, if you send more tools you can save more of your soldiers. Observe that the defender has no tools and all the defenders are killed here. [12]
Wave 3 and 4 are only to strengthen your attack and to take over defenders at the courtyard.
You need to focus on the same exact strategy everywhere. By that I mean, keep 3-4 RBC at the same level, nearest to your castle. 3-4 BT, DT and CT at the same level, Even if you attack them 2-3 times in a day, you r army wont die of starvation, plus you will get tons of resources. That ways you can have 3 shining Food OP in Greenland and maintain high army counts. I used the same composition of attack on the 2nd DT at similar level. [15] The only Difference being that this time I attacked with mixed soldiers. 80 Melee and 50 ranged. I had to use ruby tools as I was out of normal tools, but I leveled them out. Infact the tools are -5% in Ruby attack as compared to previous non ruby tools attack. [16]
You can check the screenshot above, it clearly says No espionage carried out. Yet it would be exactly the same as the previous one. Few things to remember: *At times the soldiers change their formation symmetrically so you need to ensure that you attack them as soon as possible, before they get smart and change their formation.
- It is best if you attack all 2-3 of them at the same time, thus you can avoid the problem mentioned above.
- If you plan to attack them 1 by 1, then make sure you take a screenshot of the espionage report and save it, otherwise, as soon as you attack the 1st castle that you spied on, the espionage report will become unavailable.
Here is the combat report, not a significant difference though: 30 soldiers killed as compared to 34 in previous attack. [17] Attack Overview: [18]
Wave 1: [19]
Wave 2: [20] So maybe sending a mix of soldiers does help?? Leave your comments in the comments section when you experiment the same. This is attack on the 3rd DT at the exact same level: [21] In this attack, I used more tools to experiment if it saves more soldiers. Also please note that in each and every attack the total number of soldiers are decreasing. [22] Here are the results of the 3rd attack: Total 20 soldiers lost [23] This is the overview [24]
Wave 2 report: [25]
Now here you need to ask yourself how many tools you want to sacrifice to save your soldiers. Remember: If you send 20 mantlets with 1 ranged soldier, you can beat 100 ranged soldiers. {If your enemy has 100 longbowmen on one flank, you could actually send one bowman, who is a very poor offensive unit to attack them with 20 normal mantlets (each reducing effectiveness by 5%) and he would kill all of them. An example of this absolute attacker advantage is shown through these screenshots when one longbowman with 20 mantlets takes down 50 scouts of the kingsguard (ranged defenders) on the left flank
http://prntscr.com/khld3 http://prntscr.com/khlfg http://prntscr.com/khlg5 http://prntscr.com/khlhf } Another important thing is Public Order (PO) We all know that Decorative Items (DO) increase PO, whereas, Population decreases (PO). If you follow the above strategy and launch 2-3 attacks in every world everyday, you wont need any population to collect taxes as you get enough coins and rubies starting from BT and above. So, you can infact demolish all your Dwellings (If you have town houses dont demolish them, as they have lesser negative affect on PO as compared to Dwellings.) and survive on the coins collected by these daily attacks. This is a risky business, if you are not a regular player, then you can end up losing a lot of your army because of shortage of food. Now once you demolish the Dwellings, you can build park in the castle and OPs which will increase the PO dramatically and thus increasing production of all the resources in that castle or OP.


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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 10, 2013) – The current U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Weekly update released on Dec. 10 includes briefs on U.S. players.
- Like USAV on Facebook
- Follow USAV on Twitter
- Contact: Bill Kauffman
KARCH PROMOTING NCAA DIVISION I VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly was in Seattle last week promoting the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship that will culminate in the Emerald City with the semifinals on Dec. 19 and the championship on Dec. 21. He will be part of the television broadcast team for the Lincoln Regional (Lincoln, Neb.) being held Dec. 13-14, as well as the color analyst for the national semifinals and finals in Seattle. In an interview with Seattle NBC affiliate King 5 and its New Day Northwest program (click here to view interview), Kiraly talks about the current National Team as well as the NCAA Tournament. Further, Kiraly took part in two Twitter takeovers last week, one for the NCAA and one for the Seattle Times. Follow the tournament results on www.usavolleyball.org and on ncaa.com, or through the individual school twitter feeds (click here).
LICHTMAN FEATURED SPEAKER AT CLINIC SERIES, PROCEEDS TO CHARITY: Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.), a U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team outside hitter, will be the featured speaker in a three-day traveling clinic in the Garden Empire Volleyball Association, one of 40 Regional Volleyball Associations within USA Volleyball. The clinic opens Dec. 12 at the Apex Volleyball Training and Rehearsal Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., followed by a Dec. 13 clinic at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, N.J. The clinic concludes on Dec. 14 at Queens College in Queens, N.Y. Lichtman will discuss her experience with Team USA, what it takes to advance to that level and building culture within the team and gym. She will also teach the current training techniques that Team USA uses in its gym at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim, Calif. The clinic is open to all coaches, players and parents with all proceeds donated to the Ronald McDonald House. A contribution of $30 per adult and $10 per player is suggested. Apex Volleyball is sponsoring the clinics in conjunction with Atlantic Valley Volleyball and Creole Volleyball. For more details, click here.
SWEET TWEETS: Have you ever wondered what it is like for the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team to compete overseas in the club season where they may be the only American on the team and away from family and friends for months at a time? You can get that inside peek into the players' lives by checking out the USA Volleyball's social media page at click here. Below are some sweet tweets from the week.
My baby is due whenever she gets here.— Destinee Hooker (@destineehooker) December 8, 2013
- @Lauren5Gibby (Dec. 10): Chillin in Istanbul at the only reliable wifi spot #starbucks pic.twitter.com/IlMYydBLNa
- @KaylaBanwarth2 (Dec. 9): Raspberry banana spinach protein smoothie coming right up! http://instagram.com/p/hsyD65rc8f/
- @RADAMSS (Dec. 9): The weeks fly by when you have CEV matches.. We already have a match in two days and we just finished one last night. No complaints here 😌☺
- @Napela (Dec. 8): Congrats to my @GopherVBall darlings... sorry I missed the match tonight but I was thinking about you...sweet 16 here we come #proudalum
- @j_hagg (Dec. 8): What a wonderful Sunday spent at the English Gardens in Munich with norishacampbell :) http://instagram.com/p/hrTTTZtwhR/
- @KellyMurph12 (Dec. 8): Not bad Gainesville.. Sunset from the treehouse http://instagram.com/p/hrXXRrg1ZC/
- @krishildebrand1 (Dec. 7): After the match with this little cutie. #voleiamil #iheartbrasil http://instagram.com/p/hnym15Dfg2/
- @ChristaHarmotto (Dec. 2): Love hearing the stories of @CNNHeroes #inspiring #touching
- @JordanLarson10 (Dec. 2): Touring Bologna Italy today, such a beautiful city! #startingtofeelikechristmas http://instagram.com/p/hbieZnr0jZ/
FAWCETT WITH EXPRESSWAY IN KOREA: Opposite Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio), who was part of two medal-winning U.S. teams this past summer, is playing for Korea Expressway in the Korean Volleyball League for the second consecutive year. Fawcett scored 46 points in an intense five-set match against KGC Ginseng (25-18, 25-14, 22-25, 19-25, 15-13) on Dec. 7.
LARSON-BURBACH WITH DINAMO KAZAN IN RUSSIA: Jordan Larson-Burbach (Hooper, Neb.), an outside hitter with the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, is competing once again for Dinamo Kazan in the Russia Super League. In CEV Champions League, Kazan (4-0) remained undefeated with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-10 victory over Romania's Stiinta Bacau in Russia. Larson-Burbach pocketed a match-high 17 points with 13 kills on 29 attacks, three blocks and an ace. She added a team-leading 18 reception attempts with a 50 positive percent result. "We are trying to keep up the quality of our performances and are very motivated to achieve a good result in this year's CEV Volleyball Champions League," Larson-Burbach said after the match. Kazan (4-0, 12 points), with a two-match and six-point lead in Pool F, challenges Poland's Tauron MKS Dabrowa Gornicza on Dec. 11 in the fifth leg of Pool F. In the Russia Super League, Kazan (7-0) is idle until Dec. 20 when it challenges Hara Maureen on Dec. 20.
HODGE, FAUCETTE WITH EVERGRANDE IN CHINA: Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.), a 2012 Olympic silver medalist, and Juliann Faucette (San Diego) are playing in China this winter with Guangdong Evergrande, which is under the direction of 2008 U.S. Olympic head coach "Jenny" Lang Ping. Evergrande picked up a 27-25, 25-17, 25-18 victory over Beijing Automotive on Dec. 3. Hodge tallied 19 kills on 31 attacks with a block for a match-high 20 points. She added five digs and seven excellent receptions on 14 attempts without an error in the victory. Faucette added 12 points with 10 kills on 17 attacks, two blocks and team-high six digs. Evergrande continued its winning ways with a key 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20 victory over Shanghai on Dec. 8. Hodge collected a match-high 22 points with 17 kills on 40 attacks, four blocks and an ace. Hodge added 26 excellent reception attempts on 34 chances. Faucette added 16 points via 13 kills on 25 attacks and three aces. Evergrande is the only undefeated team in Pool B through three matches.
BOWN, SPICER WITH SHANGHAI IN CHINA: Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.), a three-time U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team selection and silver medalist in 2008, and former U.S. National Team member Nellie Spicer are competing for Shanghai in the Chinese League this winter. Shanghai topped Shandong 18-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-21 on Dec. 3. Bown scored 16 points with an impressive 12 kills on 12 attacks, two aces and two blocks. Spicer started the opening set. Shanghai dropped a 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20 match to league-leader Evergrande on Dec. 8. Bown notched 12 points with seven kills on 14 attacks, three blocks and two aces. Spicer was a sub in three of the four sets. Shanghai is now 2-1 with five points in Pool B.
HILDEBRAND WITH AMIL IN BRAZIL: Kristin Hildebrand (Orem, Utah), an outside hitter with the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, is playing this winter with Volei Amil in the Brazil Super League. Amil earned a big win over Sesi-Sao Paulo 25-23, 12-21, 21-19, 17-21, 15-12 on Dec. 3. Hildebrand started all five sets and scored eight points in the victory. Hildebrand scored 15 points, including 13 kills on 28 attacks, in leading Amil to a 19-21, 21-12, 21-10, 21-13 victory over Barueri on Dec. 6. Amil dropped a 21-14, 20-22, 21-18, 19-21, 17-15 match to Molico/Nestle on Dec. 9. Hildebrand tallied seven points while adding 17 digs in the match.
SCOTT WITH BRASILIA IN BRAZIL: Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La.), a five-time U.S. Olympian playing middle blocker and two-time Olympic silver medalist, is competing in Brazil this club season with Brasilia Volei. Despite being idle in league play since Nov. 1, Brasilia looked in solid form on Dec. 3 as it defeated Minas Tenis Clube 21-18, 21-16, 21-19. Scott turned in six points in the victory. Brasilia continued its winning ways on Dec. 7 as it edged Pinheiros 20-22, 21-14, 13-21, 21-17, 15-10. Scott notched 13 points with seven kills, a team-leading five blocks and an ace. Brasilia will seek to continue its win streak on Dec. 10 with a ninth-round match against Banana Boat/Praia Clube.
KIM GLASS WITH BANANA BOAT/PRAIA CLUBE IN BRAZIL: Kim Glass (Lancaster, Pa.), a 2008 U.S. Olympic silver medalist, is playing in the Brazilian Super League this winter with Banana Boat/Praia Clube. Banana Boat lost to Molico/Nestle 21-16, 21-15, 21-18 on Dec. 3. Glass was held to three points in the loss. Banana Boat nearly pulled off an upset on Dec. 6 before losing to Unilever 17-21, 16-21, 21-19, 21-18, 15-11. After missing the third set against Nestle, Glass did not suite in the match against Unilever. Banana Boat looks to right the ship on Dec. 10 against Brasilia in its next league match. To follow her blog, click here.
BERGSMA WITH MINAS IN BRAZIL: Alaina Bergsma (Chandler, Ariz.), who trained with the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team in the summer of 2013 after winning the 2012 AVCA Division I National Player of the Year, is playing for Minas Tenis Clube in Brazil this season. Minas dropped a 21-18, 21-16, 21-19 match to Brasilia Volei on Dec. 3. Bergsma contributed nine points in the loss with seven kills on 21 attacks and two aces. Minas was edged by Uniara/Afav 21-18, 9-21, 21-19, 20-22, 15-12 on Dec. 6. Bergsma scored a team-high 13 points with 10 kills. Minas returns to action on Dec. 10 with a ninth-round match against Maranhao Volei.
THOMPSON WITH VOLERO ZURICH IN SWITZERLAND: Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.), a silver medal-winning setter on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Team, arrived in mid-November to play for Volero Zurich in the Swiss League. Volero Zurich edged Tauron MKS Dawbrowa Gornicza 28-26, 21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-9 on Dec. 4 in Poland during the fourth leg of Pool F of the CEV Champions League. Thompson set Volero Zurich to a 39 kill percent while adding three aces and a block for four points. Volero (2-2, 6 points), currently in second place in Pool F, meets fourth-place Stiinta Bacau (1-3, 2 points) on Dec. 12 in the fifth leg of CEV Champions League Pool F. In the Swiss League, Thompson helped Volero Zurich to a 25-19, 25-11, 25-21 victory over third-place VC Kanti Schaffhausen I on Dec. 7. Volero Zurich, now 8-0 with a 24-1 set ratio, takes on eighth-place VBC Cheseaux (2-6) on Dec. 14. Thompson is the subject of a volleyball documentary entitled "Court & Spark", which will debut during the week of the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship held in Seattle Dec. 19-21. The documentary explores who Courtney Thompson is, how it is to live a life as a professional American Volleyball star overseas, how she has overcome staggering odds and mixed in with experts of the game speaking about her. The one-hour documentary is aimed at players, parents, coaches, fans, media and policymakers who can support the creation and maintenance of sports facilities and opportunities for our youth. To view the documentary preview, click here.
DONAHUE WITH SM'AESCH PFEFFINGEN IN SWITZERLAND: Caitlyn Donahue (Kansas City, Kan.), who trained with the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team this past summer, is playing for Sm'Aesch Pfeffingen I in the first division of the Swiss League. Sm'Aesch Pfeffingen lost to TSV Dudingen 9-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 on Dec. 7. Sm'Aesch Pfeffingen, currently seventh in the top Swiss League with a 2-6 record with three of its matches going five sets, resumes action on Dec. 14 against fifth-place Hotel Cristal VFM (5-3).
ADAMS WITH TAURON MKS DABROWA IN POLAND: Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio), a middle blocker on the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, is playing in Poland this winter with Tauron MKS Dabrowa Gornicza. In CEV Champions League action, Tauron MKS Dabrowa (1-3, 4 points) lost a heart-breaking 28-26, 21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-9 match to Switzerland's Volero Zurich on Dec. 4 in Poland. Adams produced one of her top games as an international player with 11 kills on 20 attacks, three blocks and a three aces for 17 points. Tauron, now in third place in Pool F, meets pool leader Dinamo Kazan (4-0, 12 points) in the fifth leg of Pool F on Dec. 11. In the Polish Orlen League, Tauron beat Siodemka SK Bank Legionovia 25-23, 16-25, 30-28, 25-16 on Dec. 8. Adams contributed 11 points with eight kills on 12 attacks with one error to go with two blocks and an ace. Fourth-place Tauron (5-5, 16 points) faces third-place Atom Trefl Sopot (8-2, 23 points) on Dec. 14 in the 11th round of the Polish League. Adams is maintaining a blog during her travels, and is open to the public at rachadams.com.
HILL WITH ATOM TREFL SOPOT IN POLAND: Kim Hill (Portland, Ore.), an outside hitter with the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, is competing this winter with Atom Trefl Sopot in the Polish Oren Liga. In CEV Champions League, Sopot dropped a 25-22, 25-20, 25-12 match to Turkey's VakifBank Istanbul (4-0, 12 points) on Dec. 4. Hill started the match and was held to four kills and an ace. Sopot (2-2, 6 points), tied for second in Pool C, seeks to break its two-match CEV Champions League losing streak on Dec. 11 against winless GENT Dames (0-4, 0 points) in the fifth leg. In the Polish Orlen League, Sopot rallied to upset league-leader KPS Chemik Police 21-25, 19-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-11 on Dec. 8. Hill scored two points in the match with a 57 positive reception percent. Third-place Sopot (8-2, 23 points) meets fourth-place Tauron MKS Dabrowa (5-5, 16 points) in the 11th round of the Polish League on Dec. 14.
PAOLINI WITH HITACHI IN JAPAN: Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.), a middle blocker with the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, is playing for Hitachi Rivale in the Japanese V-League top division. Hitachi lost its first match of the V-League with a 27-25, 25-20, 25-22 setback to Toyota on Dec. 7. Paolini was credited with 10 points with nine kills on 18 attacks and a block. For Toyota, American Kanani Danielson turned in 14 points with 12 kills and two blocks in the victory. In its second match of the weekend, Hitachi lost a heart-breaking 25-21. 20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-11 match to JT Marvelous on Dec. 8. Paolini turned in 16 points with 14 kills on 35 attacks and two blocks. Through the first four matches, Paolini is the leader in Best Spiker with a 52.1 kill percent. Hitachi will play Hisamitsu on Dec. 21 and Okayama on Dec. 22 in the upcoming V-League matches.
HOOD WITH ILBANK IN TURKEY: Outside hitter Regan Hood (Dallas) is playing for Ilbank of the Turkish League this winter. Ilbank dropped a 26-24, 25-13, 22-25, 25-22 decision to Bursa B.S. Bld on Dec. 7. Hood scored 12 points with seven kills on 32 attacks, three blocks and two aces. She contributed a 65 positive reception percent on 23 reception chances. Ilbank (5-5, 14 points), which is in sixth place, resumes action on Dec. 15 against eighth-place Sariyer (4-6, 11 points).
ALISHA GLASS WITH FENERBAHCE IN TURKEY: Setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) is competing this winter with Fenerbahce in Turkey. In the Turkish League, Fenerbahce stopped Besiktas 25-14, 25-19, 25-17 as Glass was not in the starting lineup. Third-place Fenerbahce (8-1, 24 points) takes on second-place Eczacibasi (8-2, 25 points) on Dec. 14 in the next round of the Turkish League. In CEV Cup action, Fenerbahce opened the 8th Final Round with a 25-22, 25-14, 25-16 victory over Orbita-ZTMC-ZNU Zaporozhye on Dec. 5. The two teams meet again on Dec. 11 to conclude the home-and-home series. The series winner advances to the 4th Final Round.
HARMOTTO WITH ECZACIBASI IN TURKEY: Middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell Township, Pa.), a 2012 Olympic Games silver medalist, is competing for Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul in the Turkish professional league. In CEV Champions League action, Eczacibasi swept RC Cannes 25-18, 25-21, 25-20 on Dec. 5 without Harmotto available. Eczacibasi (4-0, 12 points), with a two-match lead in Pool D, challenges fourth-place Schweriner SC (0-4, 0 points) on Dec. 11 in the fifth leg of Pool D. Eczacibasi (8-2, 25 points) lost to Galatasaray 22-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-8 in the Turkish League as Harmotto did not suit. Eczacibasi, now in second place, challenges third-place Fenerbahce (8-1, 24 points) on Dec. 14.
HAGGLUND, MIYASHIRO WITH VILSBIBURG IN GERMANY: Libero Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii), a libero on the 2012 U.S. Olympic silver-medal team, and setter Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) are playing for Rote Raben Vilsbiburg in the German league this winter. In addition, Americans Dominique Lamb and Michelle Bartsch are competing on the squad. Vilsbiburg lost to league-leader VC Wiesbaden 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 on Dec. 7 after a week being idle in the league schedule. Hagglund set her squad to a 40 kill percent. Lamb turned in 10 points with six kills on 13 errorless attacks, two aces and two blocks. Bartsch added six points in the loss. Vilsbiburg now has 15 points with a 17-14 set record in nine matches for sixth place. Vilsbiburg will face Dresdner in the DVV Cup semifinals on Dec. 14. In CEV Cup action, Vilsbiburg lost the opening 8th Final Round home-and-home series match with LP Salo by scores of 26-24, 20-25, 25-23, 25-14 on Dec. 4 in Finland. Vilsbiburg will now need to win the rematch in Germany on Dec. 11, along with the golden set to advance to the 4th Final Round.
LLOYD WITH CONEGLIANO IN ITALY: Setter Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) is competing for Imoco Volley Conegliano in the Italian Serie A league for this winter season. In the Italian Serie A1 regular season, In CEV Champions League action Conegliano lost for the first time in four matches as host Azeryol Baku won 25-23, 30-32, 25-22, 25-23 on Dec. 3. Lloyd set Conegliano to a 37 kill percent of the match while adding two blocks and an ace. Conegliano (3-1, 7 points), which is in second place in Pool E but with the same record as leader Galatasaray (3-1, 10 points), will look to get back in the win column on Dec. 11 against Italian league rival Unendo Yamamay Busto Arsizio (0-4, 1 point), which Lloyd played for the previous two seasons. In Italian Serie A1 action, Conegliano rebounded from its first league loss by stopping Banca Di Forli 25-13, 25-19, 25-22 on Dec. 8. Lloyd did not play in the match. Conegliano (4-1, 12 points), which is in second place, moves into the Italian Serie A1 Seventh Round on Dec. 15 as it faces third-place Foppapedretti Bergamo (4-2, 12 points).
AKINRADEWO, BANWARTH, JACKSON WITH RABITA IN AZERBAIJAN: Middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.), a 2012 U.S. Olympic silver medalist, libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa), Cursty Jackson (Los Angeles) and Brittnee Cooper are part of Rabita Baku for the 2013-14 club season. For the second week in a row in CEV Champions League play, Rabita Baku defeated Dresdner SC in straight sets with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-19 victory on Dec. 5. Jackson scored 11 points with seven kills on 11 attacks and a team-high four blocks. On the opposite side of the net American Becky Perry led Dresdner with 11 points. Rabita Baku (4-0, 11 points) faces Pool A's fourth-place Beziers Volley (0-4, 0 points) in the fifth leg of the CEV Champions League on Dec. 11. In the Azerbaijan Super League, Rabita Baku swept Lokomotiv Baku 25-13, 25-13, 25-20 on Dec. 8.
WILLOUGHBY WITH IGTISADCHI IN AZERBAIJAN: Kim Willoughby (Napoleonville, La.), a 2008 U.S. Olympic Games silver medalist, is competing for Igtisadchi of the Azerbaijan Super League in 2013-14. In CEV Champions League action, Igtisadchi dropped a 25-17, 25-20, 26-24 match to Italy's Rebecchi Meccanica Piacenza on Dec. 5. Igtisadchi (2-2, 5 points), in third place in Pool B, will look to bounce back on Dec. 10 against Pool B leader Dinamo Moscow (3-1, 10 points).
GIBBEMEYER, CRIMES AND DOSTY WITH LOKOMOTIV BAKU: Middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) is playing for Lokomotiv Baku in the Azerbaijan Super League. In addition, former National Team middle blocker Alexis Crimes (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) and American Whitney Dosty are playing for Lokomotiv. Lokomotiv lost to league-leader Rabita Baku 25-13, 25-13, 25-20 on Dec. 8. In CEV Cup action, Lokomotiv Baku downed Hapoel Kfar Saba 25-16, 25-19, 25-14 in the opening match of the 8th Final Round home-and-home series on Dec. 5. The teams complete the series on Dec. 11 with the winner (Hapoel also needs to win a golden set) advancing to the 4th Final Round. To follow her blog throughout the year, click here.
DAVIS WITH DINAMO ROMPREST IN ROMANIA: Libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.), a two-time Olympic Games silver medalist with the U.S., is playing for Dinamo Romprest Bucharest in Romania this winter. In the CEV Champions League, Dinamo Romprest defeated Belgium's GENT Dames 25-17, 25-12, 25-20 for its second straight victory. Davis was credited with a 50 positive reception percent on 10 chances to help Dinamo Romprest to a 59 kill percent as a team. Dinamo Romprest (2-2, 6 points), now in a second-place tie in Pool C, challenges pool leader VakifBank Istanbul (4-0, 12 points) on Dec. 11. Dinamo Romprest rebounded from its first Romanian League loss of the season by sweeping CSM Bucuresti 25-19, 25-18, 25-8 on Dec. 7.
OPEN TRYOUTS: The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team will hold its annual open tryout Feb. 21-23, 2014, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. The tryout process will be used primarily to identify prospective athletes for the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team. Athletes not invited to participate with the National Team may be invited to attend a second tryout as part of the U.S. Collegiate National Teams program (formerly U.S. Women's Senior A2 Teams). To be eligible for the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team through this tryout, athletes must have concluded their collegiate eligibility. This program could begin as early as the spring of 2014, or when the athlete's academic year or professional club season has concluded. Athletes with remaining collegiate eligibility will be eligible for the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, as well as the U.S. Collegiate National Teams program, which consists of two different options if selected. For the complete press release, click here.


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Government has been advised to urgently address the cyclical increment in the country's budget deficit which mostly occurs during the electioneering period.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Legislators on Wednesday, during their presentation of what they termed 'the true state of the nation's address', accused the government of increasing Ghana's debt from GHC 9.5 billion to GHC 33.5 billion within four years.
A Senior Presidential Advisor, P. V. Obeng, however in an earlier interview indicated that the demands of public servants on government during election periods tended to increase its expenditure figures, thus resulting in the rising deficit.
The NPP MP for Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng has however suggested in an interview on Citi Fm Thursday that, the cycle should be 'nipped in the bud.'
"A deficit of GHC 8.7 billion; we've never seen anything like it before and it suggests to us that not only do we have these difficulties in an election year, the situation is actually getting worse… It is not sufficient excuse to say, 'well it happens all the time'.
According to him, "some of the difficulties we saw in 2012 are cyclical problems; they come almost every election year but it is worrying when you see the gaps widening. If things are really deteriorating, some of the deficit and budget overruns we saw in 2012, we've never seen before in percentage terms."
Mr. Kwarteng noted that the people of Ghana should be made to see the interventions which government will put in place to pay up Ghana's debt.
He clarified that the GHC 33.5 billion Ghana owed in terms of loans "does not include the Chinese loan. If you add the Chinese loan, we are getting to about GHC 40 billion, that is big!"
The NPP MP suggested that "those in charge of the economy of this country should take note of this and say that going forward, we will do something about this."
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